Catherine O’Hara Passes Away at 71 After Brief Illness
The acclaimed actress Catherine O’Hara, celebrated for her iconic roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, died on Friday in Los Angeles at the age of 71 following a short illness.
First responders arrived at her Brentwood home around 4:48 a.m. after reports of a medical emergency. She experienced difficulty breathing and was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The exact cause of death remains undisclosed.
Family Announces Private Celebration of Life
O’Hara’s family, including her husband of over 30 years, production designer Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29, plans to hold a private celebration of life. An obituary confirms the intimate memorial to honor her legacy.
Career Highlights and Recent Absence from Awards
O’Hara notably missed the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series for her work in The Studio. During the event, her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin presented the Best Screenplay award and reminisced about their time in the holiday classic.
Just months earlier, in September 2025, O’Hara appeared at the Emmys. She also reunited with longtime collaborator Eugene Levy at the Toronto International Film Festival, where she accepted the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award. Levy introduced her, prompting an emotional response. “Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling,” she said in her acceptance speech. She added, “Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you.”
Their partnership began in the 1970s on the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV), alongside talents like John Candy and Rick Moranis. They later collaborated on Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006).
Tributes from Co-Stars and Hollywood Peers
News of her passing prompted heartfelt tributes. Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in the first two Home Alone films, shared a poignant Instagram post with images from the movie and their 2023 Hollywood Walk of Fame reunion. “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later,” he wrote.
Pedro Pascal, her co-star in season two of HBO’s The Last of Us, posted on Instagram: “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always,” followed by a heart emoji.
Justin Theroux, who worked with her on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, shared a photo of her on-set chair, captioning it: “Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed.”
Filmmaker Ron Howard, who directed her in the 1994 film The Paper, described the news as shattering. “What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator,” he stated. “I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her, and she only grew more brilliant each year. My heart goes out to Bo and family.”
A Storied Career and Lasting Legacy
Born in Toronto, O’Hara rose to fame as part of the SCTV cast, earning an Emmy in 1982 for her contributions. She became a household name as Kevin’s mother in Home Alone and delivered unforgettable performances in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988).
Her role as the eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek sparked a career resurgence, earning her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020 after appearing in all 80 episodes. She received eight additional Emmy nominations for acting and writing throughout her career.
In 2017, O’Hara was appointed to the Order of Canada. In 2025, she earned dual nominations for her guest role in The Last of Us and her performance in The Studio.
O’Hara’s versatile talent left an indelible mark on comedy and film, influencing generations of performers and audiences alike.
